The jury, which is split 8-4 on the verdict, sent a note to Judge Elizabeth Allen White saying that they are "hopelessly deadlocked."

"I know how frustrating this process is for you," White told the jury. She then sent the jurors home for the weekend, telling them that if they couldn't come to a verdict on Monday, a mistrial would likely be declared.

However, attorneys for both sides have entered a private meeting with Judge Helen Bendix in the judge's chambers, in a possible move to settle the lawsuit.

Sheridan is suing "Desperate Housewives" creator Marc Cherry, ABC and Touchstone, seeking $6 million. The actress claims that she was fired from the show in retaliation for complaining that Cherry struck her on set. Cherry has maintained that he was merely giving Sheridan stage direction, and that plans to kill off Sheridan's character, Edie Britt, were underway for months before the incident.

Earlier this week, Sheridan experienced a seeming setback in her case, when Judge White dismissed a battery charge against Cherry.

The trial has seen dramatic twists befitting "Desperate Houewives" itself, including the reveal that the show would be killing off character Mike Delfino, and last-minute testimony from a surprise witness who claimed to have accidentally received an email detailing a cover-up of the reasons for Sheridan's firing.